Join a Writer's Association

I just got back from StokerCon where I co-chair the Horror Writers' Association's Library Committee and this morning, my co-chair, Konrad Stump, and  I are meeting with our counterpart at Sisters in Crime. Now, while I am an "Active" member of the HWA, meaning I am a professional level writer due to having 3 books about Horror and contracts for pro-rate pay at 2 magazines, the HWA offers a level of  membership, higher than the fan level, for librarians. In fact, most writers associations call out librarians  as "associate" level members.

And that is what I want to write about today. If you purchase for a specific genre or you have a favorite genre and you work at a library, look at the writers association for that genre and join. Once you join, volunteer. Trust me, we all need volunteers.

Obviously, I have the librarians well infiltrated into the Horror Writers Association. The HWA's head of all volunteers is a librarian and I am on the Executive Board. But we are not an anomaly. Every major  writers  association welcomes librarians and we all bring excellent skills they need to reach new readers and engage audiences. We also understand the book industry and how readers think better than many writers do.

Click here to access my favorite FREE genre resources. This Google Doc begins with the links to the writers associations to get you started. Also in 2017, I wrote a post encouraging everyone to get more involved with writers associations. Look, it has worked for me. I am sure it will work for you, but also, I know you will be able to help your favorite genre be better at serving their readers. It is a win-win for all.

Part of the meeting this morning if for us to talk with our SiC counterpart about doing some actual training for library workers to get more involved with writers organizations and Konrad and I are pursuing creating a program at PLA in 2024 to help all of you understand why and how to get more involved. Stay tuned. 

But in the meantime, join a writers association and see what they are up to and how you can help. And again, trust me, as someone on the inside, I know they need our help.